University of Evansville - LinC Yearbook (Evansville, IN)

Page 11 text:

GRADUATES and graduates-to-be from the class of 1937 on are O. H. Roberts, ’37; Jack Elliott, ’38; Bert Miller, ’39; Arnold Brockmole, ’40; Vance Hartke, ’41; Mrs. Edith Mae Matthews Bates, ’42; Paul Black, ’43; Howard C. BREAK GROUND LAST SUMMER Ground-breaking ceremonies mar ked the beginning of actual construction on the McCurdy Alumni Memorial Union Building. This will be a living memorial to honor students and alumni who gave their lives in World War II. Included in the crowd of several hun¬ dred spectators was a representative from each class graduated from Evans¬ ville College. Leo Warren, class of 1930, was the emcee for the ceremonies. Neucks, ’44; Miss Eloise Frieberg, ’45; James Buthod, ’46; Mrs. Dorothy Hebbeler Thomas, ’47; William C. Fisher, ’48; Eugene Cebula, ’49; Sarah Kessler, ’50; Bill Woods, ’51; Jo Ann Freshley, ’52; and Ben Denham, ’53 graduate. DR. HALE was principal speaker at the ceremonies. He declared: “This is the second major building in the dream we are trying to achieve at Evansville.” PRESIDENT Lincoln B. Hale (center above) pushes the plow along with Mrs. Carl Wolflin, John McCutchan, Richard McGinnis, Miss Doris Kirk, Bill Russler, and John Feigel during the ceremonies. Many visitors joined in. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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FOUR-YEAR-OLD DREAM OF STUDENTS, FACULTY AND COMMUNITY MATERIALIZES AS CONSTRUCTION OF UNION BEGINS. UNION BUILDING McCurdy memorial to aid student social life activities on campus Early in 1943 the thirty-six member Board of Trustees realized the immediate need for construction of a center for student social-education life. The initial step was that of raising funds with which to finance the structure. A vigorous campaign was initiated. Alumni and general public contributions began to pour in. Several local industrial plants recognized the need for the construction as well as the benefits which could be derived from making contributions, and their donations were of great aid. Publicity, screened by Harold Van Winkle, Public Re¬ lations boss, was stepped up to a high tempo. Pamphlets and folders, designed and printed by Mr. Van Winkle and his staff, announced to the public the advantage of having a Union Building on campus. The public agreed; and do¬ nations piled up. At last the dream became a reality. The college ' s program of social education has been hand¬ icapped by lack of space. In 1946 a former Red Cross canteen was dumped on the campus, an addition was later made, and it was called the Temporary Union Building. The TUB has served a useful purpose by providing a place where students could find supervised recreation and gos¬ sip with buddies. The new Union will relieve pressure on other campus buildings. The women’s lounge, for example, will be moved from the administration building, making available much needed space for the expansion of the library. By November, 1949, construction was well underway and approximately $570,000 had been raised. Another $50,000 was needed for furnishing the new building. K TV '

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UNION BUILDING CONTINUED WORKMEN PREPARE to lower the boom (above) as work progresses on the Union Building. Early fall rains prevent¬ ed the scheduled laying of the cornerstone, which was planned for Homecoming week end, until spring. Alumni visiting campus did see workmen busy constructing the building, the “living-room” of the campus for years to come. BRAVING the mid-November cold, Sarah Kessler, Jim Cooper, and Miss Doris Kirk (above), strolled over to the construction site and watched as workmen installed iron beams. Miss Kirk, TUB director, will have charge of the new Union. Miss Kessler and Mr. Cooper, her assistants, will both graduate before completion of the structure. FRAMEWORK of the Union Building (above), began to take shape during the fading days of the fall quarter of 1949. Construction was continued at a brisk pace during the winter and spring quarters. Workmen plodded through rain, sleet, and snow, work¬ ing from early morning until late evening in an effort to complete structure at earliest possible date. Students and faculty pausing at the construction site to and from classes noticed day-to-day progress. The com¬ munity took an interest in what was going on, and motorists driving past the college on beautiful Lincoln Avenue mar¬ veled at how quick the building took form. Children of students living in near-by veterans’ housing project found the construction site a good place to play cowboys and Indians. They were soon forbidden to romp over the grounds because of the danger involved there. 8